12,000 seeking compensation for Marawi Siege –MCB

Around 12,000 people are looking to file claims with the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Fund, the Marawi Compensation Board said on Monday.

“As of today, thousands of individuals booked for an appointment, around 12,000 na po yung naka-book (have been booked) up to March 2024. Meaning, there are 12,000 individuals who want to file their claim for compensation for structural, personal, and death claims,” said Marawi Compensation Board (MCB) Chairperson Maisara Dandamun-latiph during a House hearing of the Ad Hoc Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation and Victims Compensation.

From the opening of applications on July 4 until July 27, 3,323 claimants had booked an appointment.

Only 2,283 who finished the initial steps for the application had been screened, Dandamun-latiph added.

Around 264 people were placed in a temporary docket due to lack of requirements.

The other 2,073 were in the permanent docket from which the board may decide whether or not to recommend payment.

From the 2,073 in the permanent docket, 1,374 applied for multiple claims, 625 for other property, 42 for structure, and 32 for death claims.

Victims who lost their homes during the Marawi siege may claim a compensation of P18,000 per square meter for totally damaged structures.

The board will also grant at least P350,000 to the families of those who died during the siege.

Around 17,800 households affected by the siege were also expected to receive financial aid.

In September 2022, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said the Marcos administration had earmarked P1 billion for the Marawi compensation fund, which would go to the following:

• Any lawful owner of residential, cultural, commercial structures, and other properties in Marawi's main affected areas or other affected areas destroyed or damaged, either totally or partially, on the occasion of the Marawi siege; and
• Owners of private properties demolished under the implementation of the Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Program, following R.A. No. 11696 and guidelines to be promulgated by the Marawi Compensation Board.

The filing period will run until July 3, 2024. — DVM, GMA Integrated News